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Blair aides 'had Iraq war doubts' Blair aides 'had Iraq war doubts'
(about 2 hours later)
Tony Blair's closest aides had "severe moments of doubt" about the invasion of Iraq, according to the diaries of his former media chief Alastair Campbell.Tony Blair's closest aides had "severe moments of doubt" about the invasion of Iraq, according to the diaries of his former media chief Alastair Campbell.
If the then-prime minister had his own doubts, "he had hidden them from us", says Mr Campbell in The Blair Years.If the then-prime minister had his own doubts, "he had hidden them from us", says Mr Campbell in The Blair Years.
In Cabinet the day before the crucial Commons vote on military action, John Prescott and John Reid "looked physically sick", the book also says.In Cabinet the day before the crucial Commons vote on military action, John Prescott and John Reid "looked physically sick", the book also says.
The book's publication comes less than two weeks after Mr Blair left office.The book's publication comes less than two weeks after Mr Blair left office.
The book describes the Cabinet meeting the day before the MPs' vote and following Commons Leader Robin Cook's resignation over Iraq. The book describes the Cabinet meeting the day before the MPs' vote in 2003 and following Commons Leader Robin Cook's resignation over Iraq.
Mr Reid warned ministers that "we will be judged by the Iraq that replaces Saddam's Iraq, and by the Middle East". Mr Reid, who stepped down at the same time as Mr Blair, warned ministers "we will be judged by the Iraq that replaces Saddam's Iraq, and by the Middle East".
'No going back''No going back'
Clare Short told the meeting that she was "going to have my little agonising overnight. I owe it to you".Clare Short told the meeting that she was "going to have my little agonising overnight. I owe it to you".
She resigned as international development secretary several weeks later in protest at the plans for Iraq's reconstruction. She did not resign at that time, but did resign as international development secretary several weeks later in protest at the plans for Iraq's reconstruction.
The government won the March 2003 Commons vote despite the rebellion of 139 Labour MPs.The government won the March 2003 Commons vote despite the rebellion of 139 Labour MPs.
Mr Campbell writes: "All of us, I think, had had pretty severe moments of doubt but he [Mr Blair] hadn't really, or if he had he had hidden them even from us.Mr Campbell writes: "All of us, I think, had had pretty severe moments of doubt but he [Mr Blair] hadn't really, or if he had he had hidden them even from us.
"Now there was no going back at all.""Now there was no going back at all."
'Crazed unilateralist''Crazed unilateralist'
The 794-page book also recalls US President George Bush's decision in September 2002, following pressure from the UK, to seek a fresh United Nations resolution against Iraq. Extracts released by Mr Campbell before the 794-page book's publication also includes US President George Bush's decision in September 2002, following pressure from the UK, to seek a fresh United Nations resolution against Iraq.
Mr Campbell writes: "Bush joked to me, 'I suppose you can tell the story of how Tony flew in and pulled the crazed unilateralist back from the brink.'"Mr Campbell writes: "Bush joked to me, 'I suppose you can tell the story of how Tony flew in and pulled the crazed unilateralist back from the brink.'"
The diaries suggest that the president is "far more impressive close up". The diaries suggest that the president was "far more impressive close up".
On the BBC's Sunday AM programme, the former No 10 director of communications said that going to war with Iraq had been the "most difficult decision" of Mr Blair's life.On the BBC's Sunday AM programme, the former No 10 director of communications said that going to war with Iraq had been the "most difficult decision" of Mr Blair's life.
But the decision was "driven by the right motives", he said.But the decision was "driven by the right motives", he said.
He also revealed that in 2002 Mr Blair was considering resigning before the 2005 general election.He also revealed that in 2002 Mr Blair was considering resigning before the 2005 general election.
Mr Campbell admitted removing references to Gordon Brown to stop Tory leader David Cameron thinking he had "a gold-mine to use against the new Labour prime minister". Mr Campbell has admitted removing references to Gordon Brown to stop Tory leader David Cameron thinking he had "a gold-mine to use against the new Labour prime minister".